UC linebacker feels a part of the family
The 2007 football season has been one of great moments for the Parkersburg-based Lindamood family. 
As sophomore linebacker Joey toils at the University of Charleston, helping to put the Golden Eagles into position for an NCAA Division II playoff berth, Parkersburg High senior running back Matt is among the candidates for the Kennedy Award, given to the state's top prep player.
"It's fantastic," said Joey Lindamood, whose Eagles host West Virginia Conference foe West Liberty (6-3, 4-2 in WVC) at 1 p.m. Saturday at University of Charleston Stadium. "I was at (Parkersburg's) loss and they had some problems, but hopefully they have them worked out."
There are no problems at UC, which is the reason why the Eagles are 7-2 (5-1 in WVC) and sixth in the NCAA Division II Northeast rankings.
The top six teams make the playoffs.
Chemistry is among the keys, said Coach Tony DeMeo, who has said time and again that the pieces are falling into place.
"I'm really proud of the guys," said DeMeo, who is 20-11 in almost three seasons at UC. "If I had said when we walked in here three years ago that in November of 2007 we're going to be on top of the conference, in line for a playoff bid, and the NCAA is going to be calling us for a playoff roster, you'd had me put in a strait jacket."
The roster of the former Morris Harvey College is typical of a Division II program trying to win, while the chemistry built by the diversity isn't as common.
Lindamood is one of 21 Mountain State players on the UC roster, which is represented by 11 states.
"At first you wonder if you belong here," said Lindamood, a 2005 Class AAA All-State selection on defense.
"Just like anyplace, when you start it's a little rocky because you don't know anybody. Then you get with the team and have the camaraderie and it just keeps rolling.
"I have friends from Virginia, Florida, Georgia, California and Ohio. One of my friends is (Miami, Fla. native) Antonio Smith and (Ruther Glen, Va. native) Lane Catlett.
"It might sound kind of girlie, but you always have someone to talk to if you have a problem."
Joey Lindamood leads the Eagles in tackles with 57 despite not being like most of the UC players a full-time player.
The 6-foot-1, 215-pounder has three tackles for losses, a sack, three broken up passes and two forced fumbles.
His high school Mohawk has given way to shoulder-length hair and a 5 o'clock shadow, providing the ultimate look of a football player.
DeMeo calls Lindamood "fun," although the hard-working Golden Eagle star has admitted to cutting back on his goofy side.
There's nothing goofy about the Eagles' rise, spearheaded by a combination of youth, experience and more than one-quarter of the nation's states.
On Saturday, UC hopes to take another step toward its ascension to the top of the WVC.
W.Va. State (6-2, 4-2 in WVC) at Shepherd (8-1, 6-1) The Yellow Jackets have already assured themselves of the school's first winning season since 1992 after last week's 26-21 victory over Glenville State.
The task gets tougher with a 300-mile bus ride to Shepherdstown to face the Rams.
Shepherd, since dropping its first game of the season on Sept. 15 has won six consecutive conference games by an average of 24 points.
As sophomore linebacker Joey toils at the University of Charleston, helping to put the Golden Eagles into position for an NCAA Division II playoff berth, Parkersburg High senior running back Matt is among the candidates for the Kennedy Award, given to the state's top prep player.
"It's fantastic," said Joey Lindamood, whose Eagles host West Virginia Conference foe West Liberty (6-3, 4-2 in WVC) at 1 p.m. Saturday at University of Charleston Stadium. "I was at (Parkersburg's) loss and they had some problems, but hopefully they have them worked out."
There are no problems at UC, which is the reason why the Eagles are 7-2 (5-1 in WVC) and sixth in the NCAA Division II Northeast rankings.
The top six teams make the playoffs.
Chemistry is among the keys, said Coach Tony DeMeo, who has said time and again that the pieces are falling into place.
"I'm really proud of the guys," said DeMeo, who is 20-11 in almost three seasons at UC. "If I had said when we walked in here three years ago that in November of 2007 we're going to be on top of the conference, in line for a playoff bid, and the NCAA is going to be calling us for a playoff roster, you'd had me put in a strait jacket."
The roster of the former Morris Harvey College is typical of a Division II program trying to win, while the chemistry built by the diversity isn't as common.
Lindamood is one of 21 Mountain State players on the UC roster, which is represented by 11 states.
"At first you wonder if you belong here," said Lindamood, a 2005 Class AAA All-State selection on defense.
"Just like anyplace, when you start it's a little rocky because you don't know anybody. Then you get with the team and have the camaraderie and it just keeps rolling.
"I have friends from Virginia, Florida, Georgia, California and Ohio. One of my friends is (Miami, Fla. native) Antonio Smith and (Ruther Glen, Va. native) Lane Catlett.
"It might sound kind of girlie, but you always have someone to talk to if you have a problem."
Joey Lindamood leads the Eagles in tackles with 57 despite not being like most of the UC players a full-time player.
The 6-foot-1, 215-pounder has three tackles for losses, a sack, three broken up passes and two forced fumbles.
His high school Mohawk has given way to shoulder-length hair and a 5 o'clock shadow, providing the ultimate look of a football player.
DeMeo calls Lindamood "fun," although the hard-working Golden Eagle star has admitted to cutting back on his goofy side.
There's nothing goofy about the Eagles' rise, spearheaded by a combination of youth, experience and more than one-quarter of the nation's states.
On Saturday, UC hopes to take another step toward its ascension to the top of the WVC.
W.Va. State (6-2, 4-2 in WVC) at Shepherd (8-1, 6-1) The Yellow Jackets have already assured themselves of the school's first winning season since 1992 after last week's 26-21 victory over Glenville State.
The task gets tougher with a 300-mile bus ride to Shepherdstown to face the Rams.
Shepherd, since dropping its first game of the season on Sept. 15 has won six consecutive conference games by an average of 24 points.